Pictures of the day: 23 October 2012

Proud sow Miep with her new brood, the first litter of rare Meishan piglets to be born in the UK for 30 years at Whauphill Farm, Dumfries and Galloway. Meishan piglets are a popular breed in China because of their unusually large ears and wrinkly faces but have never been properly introduced in this country. Owner Linda McDonald-Brown, 51, brought the litter's year old mum Miep and nine months old dad Wrinkles over from northern Holland with her husband Graham earlier this year. And two weeks ago Miep gave birth to the litter, which contains seven girls and one boy.Picture: Mark Sutherland / SWNS.com